Look at the Limestone County Courthouse in Athens some night this month and you’ll see the lights shining teal.

The color isn’t there just to look pretty. It’s there to remind you to get the word out about the symptoms of gynecological cancers and share them with the women you know.

Throughout the month of September, cities and businesses across the state are encouraged to participate in cancer-awareness campaign called “A State of Teal.” The goal of the campaign is threefold:

• To raise awareness about gynecological cancers, including ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal and vulvar;

• To raise awareness about their impact on women in Alabama; and

• The need for research and improved screening tests and support for women battling these cancers.

Athens and Limestone County governments have declared September gynecological cancer awareness month, and the county commission decided to put the Courthouse lights in a state of teal. For more information about the statewide effort, visit www.astateofteal.org.

Deadly stats

According to www.astateofteal.org, Alabama is one of the top three states with the highest rate of death from cervical cancer. It is one of the top four states with the highest rate of death from ovarian cancer. There is no early detection or screening test for ovarian cancer; it is usually found in stage 3C and has a high recurrence and mortality rate.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ovarian cancer include two or more weeks of any of the following: bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating, feeling full quickly or urinary symptoms such as urgency or frequency. Other symptoms include fatigue, upset stomach, back pain, pain during sex, constipation, menstrual changes, abdominal swelling and weight loss.

Local effort – Mildred’s Angels

The Courthouse lighting is also designed to remind people to help an Athens-based cancer group called Mildred’s Angels. The group has two goals:

• To raise money to help people travel to care for terminally ill family members; and

• To raise awareness about the “whispering disease,” also known as ovarian cancer.

Mildred’s Angels was established in memory of Mildred Ann Davis Grisham, who died of ovarian cancer at age 67 on April 14, 2013, according to the women who founded the group, Angie C. Norwood and Tina Cook.

“The fund was inspired by many friends — our Angels — who followed and assisted our family during our mother’s battle with cancer,” Norwood said. “They assisted financially with travel-related expenses from Alabama, Michigan, Florida and Texas over a 14-month time frame. After Mildred’s journey ended, her Angels assisted in launching a fund in her memory.”

It was then Mildred’s Angels was born and a wish fulfilled — make others aware of ovarian cancer and other gynecological cancers and assist families during a difficult time in their lives, Norwood said.

Since April 2013, Mildred’s Angels has assisted families facing terminal illnesses by providing emotional assistance, advocating, educating and securing resources, collaboration and financial assistance. To date, the group has provided nearly $30,000 in assistance, with none of the money raised used to cover administrative costs.

To apply for assistance, donate, share insights to help the group help others or to get more information, email mildreds.angels@outlook.com or follow the group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/mildreds.angels46.